Apparent synthetic drugs make 15 sick in Austin

Published 3:17 am, Friday, May 2, 2014

Potpourri is one of many forms of synthetic drugs that have recently become popular with teenagers and young adults.

Potpourri is one of many forms of synthetic drugs that have recently become popular with teenagers and young adults.

Photo: Jessica Thornton/Plainview Heral

Apparent synthetic drugs make 15 sick in Austin

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine if illegal synthetic marijuana was used by more than a dozen people who ended up in Central Texas hospitals.

Austin police say at least 15 people have been treated for overdoses reported mainly in the downtown area and near the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless. Police did not immediately report any arrests.

Austin-Travis County EMS Capt. Darren Noak says the overdoses began Wednesday morning, with some victims having seizures. Additional incidents happened Thursday. Noak says some of the victims exhibited violent behavior.

Police are trying to determine who sold the drugs and whether synthetic marijuana was mixed with another substance.